Discovering New Species and Exploring Deep-sea Microbiomes
Traducción al español a continuación Ten to 30 million species are estimated to exist on our planet, yet only ~1 million of these have been formally described. These estimates do not include the vast majority of microbial life, let alone how microbes interact with animals. A major goal of scientific discovery is to understand not … Continued
Fluid Flow through the Crust
Traducción al español a continuación In addition to the biologists studying octopus, the science party on the Falkor (too) includes a geophysicist (me) and a hydrogeologist (Dr. Rachel Lauer). Our role is to study what is happening beneath the seafloor to understand better the “plumbing” that moves fluids into and out of the ocean crust, … Continued
Odyssey Origins – Week 1 Video Update
The Octopus Odyssey expedition is currently underway in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Costa Rica, with the objective of investigating underwater mountains that scientists believe harbor distinctive habitats and biodiversity. The multidisciplinary science team aims to gain a deeper understanding of the hydrogeology, microbiology, ecology, and geochemistry that potentially contribute to the captivating … Continued
The Importance of Reactive Oxygen Species
A Haiku Searching the deep-sea For pulses of ROS Fleeting signs of health Traducción al español disponible a continuación Why do we care about ROS? Aerobic organisms may produce ROS for a variety of beneficial functions, including cell growth, signaling, and pathogen defense. However, if the ability of an organism to regulate the production and … Continued
Reactive Protection ~ Health Diagnostics of Deep-Sea Coral Week 1 Update
Assessing Deep Coral Health
Traducción al español disponible a continuación Written by Dr. Colleen Hansel Life relies on chemistry. For instance, chemical reactions allow animals (including humans) to extract energy from food, for plants to convert carbon dioxide to organic matter, and for fungi to degrade wood. Organisms also produce chemicals to increase the availability of nutrients, repair wounds, … Continued
ROV Dives – Health Diagnostics of Deep-Sea Coral
Lost and Found ~ Video Update